Jesus, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. The term "form" here, from the Greek word "morphe," signifies the outward expression of an inner essence, not merely shape. While on earth, though His outward expression was of humanity, He retained His divine essence, indicating that He did not cease being God when He assumed the form of a man. In this context, Christ humbly did not assert His right to retain the expression of His divine essence as a treasure to be clutched at all hazards, but waived that right in an act of profound humility. Furthermore, in taking the form of a servant, He emptied Himself, relinquishing the outward expression of His Deity and its implications, setting aside His legitimate desires and prerogatives as Deity to express Himself as a servant. This exchange of expressions highlights that being a servant was not His usual mode of outward expression, but a deliberate choice to manifest a different aspect of His nature. Thus, He exchanged one form of expression for another, never ceasing to be what He originally was, though the expression of what He was changed.

In exploring the nature of Jesus Christ, the concept of form is crucial to understanding His divine and human aspects. Philippians 2:5-7 offers insight into Christ's incarnation, illustrating that He existed in the form of God yet took on the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. This transformation highlights a distinction between His divine essence and His human experience, showing that while He was God, He embraced a form that allowed Him to live among humanity. This shift in form underscores the profound change from His pre-incarnate state to His earthly life, reflecting a voluntary limitation of divine attributes to fully participate in human existence.

In Philippians 2:6-8, the apostle Paul uses three distinct Greek words to describe what it meant for the eternal Son of God to become man: morphe, homoioma, and schema. The word morphe, translated as "form" or "very nature," appears in the phrase "being in the form of God" in verse 6, indicating that Jesus Christ possesses the inward character and outward expression of God's nature. It also signifies that He took on the nature of a servant, becoming man both inwardly and outwardly. The second word, homoioma, translated as "likeness" in verse 7, refers to the outward appearance of humanity, showing that Jesus not only felt and experienced as a man but also physically resembled one, born as an Israelite and growing to look like others of His race. The third word, schema, translated as "appearance" in verse 8, emphasizes conformity to human experience, illustrating that Jesus endured all the pressures, longings, and circumstances of this world, fully relating to human struggles and conditions. These terms collectively highlight the profound reality of Jesus Christ taking on human form, experiencing life as a man in every aspect, while retaining the divine nature inwardly.

The concept of form, as it pertains to Jesus Christ, reveals the varying outward appearances He assumed to fulfill the purposes of the Father. Throughout history, He manifested in multiple forms, each suited to the specific needs of the moment. In one instance, He took on the form of a slave, appearing outwardly as one in bondage, though intrinsically He remained free and unbound by any power. In another, He appeared to Joshua as the Captain of the Lord's host, embodying a form necessary for that encounter. He was transfigured into radiant glory on the mount before His disciples, displaying a divine visage. To Abraham, He appeared as a wayfarer, welcomed into a tent, while to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, He took a different form, unrecognizable to them. After His resurrection, He altered His appearance to suit His purpose, as seen when Mary recognized Him at the tomb in a familiar form, yet on the road to Emmaus, His outward look was changed. The Greek term "morphe," translated as form, specifically refers to outward appearance, not internal nature or substance. In Philippians 2, Paul uses this term to describe Christ being in the form of God, then emptying Himself to take on the form of a slave. This does not imply a change in His intrinsic nature as God, but rather a shift in external manifestation to accomplish the Father's will. Whether in the highest form of God or the lowest as a slave, Christ carried out each representation perfectly, always reflecting the character and purpose of the Absolute Deity. His forms changed according to need, yet He remained the unvarying true manifestation of the Father, pointing all toward Him through word, gesture, and example.